Neuroaesthetics transforms the way we design and experience commercial spaces, blending science, psychology, and aesthetics to create environments that support emotional well-being, engagement and cognitive performance. Flooring plays a central role in this process. By embracing neuroaesthetic principles, designers can use soft flooring to craft spaces that are not only visually stunning but also deeply impactful for their users.
What is Neuroaesthetic Design?
The Science Behind Neuroaesthetics
Design affects how we think and feel. It interacts with how our brains process information and respond to our surroundings. Good spatial design therefore isn’t just about making an environment look visually appealing. It’s also about making it resonate deeply with our cognitive and emotional processes.
According to The Neuroaesthetics of Architectural Spaces (Chatterjee, Coburn & Weinberger, 2021), human-building interactions are shaped by three neural networks: sensory-motor, knowledge-meaning, and emotion-valuation. The sensory-motor system processes a building’s physical and sensory features, while the knowledge-meaning network enables cognitive interpretation of architectural environments.
Building on this, Wang et al. (2021) in How Indoor Environmental Quality Affects Occupants’ Cognitive Functions: A Systematic Review highlight that proper lighting enhances mood and productivity, while poor acoustics can increase stress and hinder focus. Additionally, thermal comfort supports physical well-being, and air quality plays a vital role in respiratory health.
modulyss Talks: Neuroaesthetics
What is Neuro-Inclusive Design?
Neuroarchitecture: The Science of Spatial Design
Neuroarchitecture blends neuroscience with design, proving how spaces influence emotions, cognition, and well-being. Studies reveal that spatial layout, natural materials, and biophilic design impact stress, focus, and productivity. Curved forms and adaptive lighting enhance comfort, linking aesthetics with function. By merging neuroaesthetics and neuroarchitecture, designers create visually striking spaces that actively support human performance.
Some important neuroaesthetics principles:
- Neural responses: Designs that harmonise with the brain’s natural preferences promote positive experiences.
- Cognitive processes: Strategic use of shapes, patterns, and layouts can trigger specific psychological effects.
- Psychological triggers: Elements like symmetry and balance reduce stress, while chaotic designs can overstimulate.
In commercial interiors, applying neuroaesthetic principles leads to spaces that evoke calm, focus, or inspiration. By blending science and creativity, designers craft environments that are both functional and emotionally enriching. These principles also inform neuro-inclusive design, ensuring spaces accommodate diverse neurological needs and sensory sensitivities.
How Colours Affect our Emotional Responses
Colours have incredible power over our emotions and decision-making. By leveraging colour psychology, designers of workspaces and commercial spaces can:
- Evoke specific feelings: Warm tones (reds, oranges) energise, while cool tones (blues, greens) promote relaxation.
- Create balance: Complementary hues ensure visual harmony and reduce cognitive fatigue.
- Enhance the customer experience: Accent colours draw attention, while neutral palettes create calming backdrops.
For instance, warm-toned broadloom carpets make hospitality spaces feel inviting, while sleek, cool-toned luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) and carpet tiles work well in modern offices. Thoughtful colour integration ensures that interiors align with both the aesthetic and emotional needs of their users.
Watch our modulyss Talk on colour psychology with Behavioural Design Consultant and writer of The Little Book of Colour, Karen Haller.
Textures and Patterns in Interior Design
Textures and patterns create depth and engage our senses. Well-designed textures can trigger positive neurological responses, either through smooth surfaces that feel calming or varied textures that hold our interest without being overwhelming. Interior designers can create impact through:
- Tactile engagement: Soft carpet tiles or smooth LVT can create wayfinding cues through textural transitions, helping users intuitively navigate spaces.
- Visual contrast: Patterns – geometric or organic – provide a visual flow or create interest.
- Material selection: Natural textures evoke warmth, while sleek finishes convey modernity.
For example, repetitive carpet tile patterns can provide a sense of order, ideal for high-traffic areas. By combining textures and patterns strategically, designers enhance the sensory experience, making interiors visually captivating and emotionally comforting.
Get a Feel for our Carpets
Discover our Luxury Vynil Tiles
Neuroaesthetics in Commercial Spaces
Creating Engaging and Productive Interiors
Neuroaesthetic design can significantly boost engagement and productivity in commercial spaces by addressing both sensory and functional needs.
Key strategies include:
- Multi-sensory environments: Natural light, textured surfaces, and ergonomic layouts can enhance well-being.
- Dynamic patterns and bold colours can energise your space and stimulate creativity.
- Collaborative spaces: Collaborative zones, demarcated by creative patterns or carpet tiles, can encourage interaction and foster connection.
- Acoustic comfort: Materials like acoustic carpet tiles minimise distractions and promote focus.
By integrating these elements, designers can create both commercial spaces with more emotional impact and workplaces where employees feel supported. Thoughtful neuroaesthetic design ensures every detail contributes to a cohesive and engaging experience.
Flooring as a Key Element in Neuroaesthetic Design
Flooring plays an essential role in neuroaesthetic design, offering:
Acoustic benefits: Sound-absorbing carpet tiles create peaceful environments.
Tactile engagement: Plush textures enhance comfort and sensory appeal.
Modular flexibility: Carpet tiles allow easy reconfiguration for dynamic spaces.
Pattern impact: Geometric, organic and biophilic designs influence mood and perception.
By choosing the right flooring materials, designers can profoundly shape the emotional and cognitive experience of a space. For instance, broadloom carpets in hospitality settings create warmth, while carpet tiles and sleek LVT enhances functionality and modernity in offices.
Applications of Neuroaesthetics
Biophilic Design as a Neuroaesthetic Tool
Biophilic design incorporates nature-inspired elements to reduce stress and enhance well-being. Key features include:
- Greenery: Plants and green walls bring a sense of calm.
- Natural textures: Flooring can echo nature’s colours and textures, offering the crucial first touchpoint with the space.
- Stress-reducing layouts: Open spaces with natural light improve focus and relaxation.
For example, carpet tiles can create a sensory bridge to nature, by forming patterns inspired by leaf veins or wood grains, or by integrating earthy colours reflecting diverse landscapes. This creates an environment that resonates deeply with users’ sensory and emotional needs.
Smart and Adaptive Spaces with Neuroaesthetics
Smart technology enhances neuroaesthetic spaces by enabling adaptive environments that respond to users in real time. As this prioritizes individual comfort and well-being, it aligns well with the concept of human-centric design.
Examples include:
- AI for adaptive workspaces: AI monitors how people use a space and automatically adjust lighting, temperature, and furniture layout for comfort and productivity. It also predicts how busy areas will get, helping to organise workspaces and retail layouts more efficiently.
- Biophilic and sensory technologies: Smart lighting changes colour throughout the day to match natural light patterns. AI-generated nature sounds and smart scent diffusers create calming environments, reducing stress in offices or hospitality settings.
- Smart materials and responsive surfaces: Glass walls that change from clear to frosted provide privacy or openness as needed. Touch-sensitive tables and walls allow interactive experiences in stores or offices. Adaptive furniture changes shape to fit the space and how people are using it.
- Interactive and immersive media: Projection mapping and dynamic displays change visuals based on user movements, creating engaging experiences in lobbies and stores.
Emotional and cognitive sensing systems:
Wearable devices track stress and fatigue, allowing workplaces to adjust lighting and temperature to improve well-being.
Sustainable Design in Neuroaesthetic Spaces
Neuroaesthetics and sustainability share a human-centred approach to design that improves well-being while caring for the environment. They come together in spaces that are both aesthetically enriching and ecologically responsible. Here’s how they align:
- Recycled materials: Carpet tiles made from repurposed carpet are both functional and responsible.
- Low-VOC options: Eco-friendly flooring improves indoor air quality.
- Lifecycle sustainability: Durable materials reduce waste and environmental impact.
For example, modulyss offers several Cradle to Cradle Certified® Silver and Gold level carpet tile collections. The yarn used to tuft these collections is ECONYL®, which is made from waste products such as old or discarded fishing nets, fabric waste, and industrial plastic. This approach ensures that indoor spaces are not only beautiful but also environmentally responsible.
Flooring and Neuroaesthetics
Acoustic and Textural Benefits of Flooring
Flooring contributes significantly to the acoustic and tactile qualities of a space. Benefits include:
- Noise reduction: Acoustic flooring creates quiet, focused environments.
- Tactile comfort: Textured flooring adds a sensory dimension.
- Harmony: Materials like high-pile carpets or textured LVT balance aesthetics and function.
Paying attention to how a space sounds and feels is key to making people comfortable. For instance, hospitality venues benefit from plush carpeting that dampens sound while offering a luxurious feel.
Flooring Patterns to Enhance Neuroaesthetic Interiors
Flooring patterns play a significant role in neuroaesthetic design by influencing how people perceive, navigate, and feel within a space. Effective uses include:
- Geometric designs: Foster a sense of order and rhythm.
- Organic patterns: Evoke tranquillity and connection to nature.
- Zoning: Use patterns to define functional areas or guide movement.
For example, retailers can use directional patterns to create natural pathways through stores. Slower-paced areas (like luxury sections) often feature more intricate or complex patterns to encourage browsing.
Modular Flooring for Sensory-Driven Design
Modular flooring provides adaptability and sensory engagement through:
- Reconfiguration: Easily adjust layouts for changing needs.
- Customisable designs: Cater to specific user preferences.
- Sensory appeal: Use different flooring textures to signal a zone transition.
For instance, modular carpet tiles in educational settings enable dynamic learning zones, while in offices, they create flexible workspaces. By combining adaptability with aesthetics, modular flooring empowers designers to craft neuroaesthetic spaces that evolve with users.
Elevating Experiences Through Neuroaesthetic Design
Neuroaesthetic design revolutionises how we experience commercial spaces, blending science, psychology, and aesthetics to create environments that resonate emotionally and cognitively. By integrating smart technology, biophilic elements, and sensory-driven flooring, designers can craft spaces that enhance well-being, engagement, and productivity. Embracing neuroaesthetics transforms interiors into impactful, human-centric experiences.
Get Expert Insights
Get News and Insights
Recent blog items
From Grid to Flow: Designing Beyond Straight Lines
Perceptive Places: Shaping Smarter Interiors
Designing to Give Back: From Sustainability to Regeneration
